Clifton 13 Leicester Lions 39

Saturday 11th January 2020

Lions show their class and elegance with champagne rugby for a six try victory against Clifton

League Points 0-5

Clifton: Tries: Luke Stratford (59); Conversions: James Dixon (60); Penalties: Brad Barnes (11, 27);
Leicester Lions 39: Tries: Ed Sumpter (29, 41), Drew Rudkin (33), Ben Young (37), Devon Constant (64), Nick Cairns (72); Conversions: Ben Young (30, 34, 38); Penalties: Ben Young (20);

Lions were expecting a stiff test at Clifton, with them being in fifth position in National League 2 South and Lions in sixth position.

It was a cold and breezy afternoon at Clifton’s ground, at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

The first fifteen minutes of game were fairly evenly balanced, with Clifton’s Brad Barnes kicking a penalty and Lions’ Ben Young replying with a penalty to make the score 3-3 after 20 minutes.

Brad Barnes added a second penalty for Clifton after 27 minutes.

Lions started to show their class with some elegant flowing rugby. On 29 minutes Ed Sumpter collected the ball in open play, speedily forging his way to score Lions’ first try of the afternoon, with Ben Young adding the conversion, for Lions to take a 6-10 lead.

This was quickly followed by slick interpassing by Lions, leading to Drew Rudkin finishing off the move by driving over for a try, with Ben Young adding the extras.

At the end of the first half Lions’ Ben Young went through the Clifton defence to score a try, adding the conversion to his own try and establishing a healthy 6-24 lead for Lions at half-time.

Half Time: Clifton 6 Leicester Lions 24

After the break it was not long before Lions put Clifton back under pressure. Again Ed Sumpter drove through the Clifton defence to score his second try of the afternoon.

Clifton did not give up easily and started to work their way back into the game. After a period of Clifton pressure their hooker, Luke Stratford, drove over from close to the line, to score a try, with James Dixon adding the conversion, taking the score to 13-29.

Lions reasserted their dominance in the last quarter with more skilful flowing play.
On 64 minutes Lions’ Devon Constant powered his way through for a try, followed by Lions’ No 8, Nick Cairns, driving over for Lions’ sixth try of the afternoon.

Full Time: Clifton 13 Leicester Lions 39

There was a fairly well balanced start to the game, but Lions showed skill and commitment to achieve a well deserved victory.

Following the game Lions and Clifton had changed league positions, with Lions in fifth position and Clifton in sixth position.

Lions’ head coach, Gareth Collins, said, “We were expecting a tight game against a team who were next to us in league position before the game and had been playing well recently. Much credit to the Lions’ players for the way they skilfully applied themselves, with some exciting and flowing rugby throughout the game.”

Next week, on Saturday 18th January 2020, Lions are home to Esher at Westleigh Park, Blaby.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Clifton: Alex Kilbane, Finlay Sharp, Chris Levesley, Sam Harrison, Tom Jones, Brad Barnes, Mitchell Spencer, Ricardo Cano, Luke Stratford, Mark Roberts, Matthew Hall, Harry Butler, Thomas Wilson, Chris Rovery, Harry Bate
Replacements: Ethan Gaynor, Jack Williams, Aiden Ali, James Dixon, Thomas Stanton

Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, Alex Smit, Will Roberts, Drew Rudkin, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Rhod McNaughton, George Taylor-Walker, Simon Johnson, Max Johnson, James Stubbs